Replacement Parts Costs

[Tony Giroux]

Many of our lathes use some parts that are somewhat common across tools in the wood working industry. If something breaks, and the manufacturers replacement part seems a little costly check around ---

I recently stripped the steady rest locking handle on my Jet 1220VS (part # 45 in the 1220VS parts list). Looking for a replacement immediately sent me to ereplacementparts.com, where I found the handle for $26.40. That seemed a little high.

I then went to tools&machinery.com, where I found it listed for $25.21.

Wait a minute - this thing is a simple locking tool handle with a 5/16X8 thread. Off to McMaster Carr -- yep, there it was; a mere $8.32 or $14.60 if you wanted the stainless steel bolt. I ordered a couple of them.

Nuts, bolts, washers, belts, pulleys, many brackets, locking handles, and a whole bunch of parts are pretty common across all tools. Best to check around when those "exact replacements" are getting expensive.

 

[Michael Mendelsohn]

I recently needed to replace the bearings on the blade guides for my band saw. I needed 9 - 6202 bearings and 1 - 6200 bearing. The manufacturer's parts dept quoted $10 each.

I found a web site that sold a package of 10 - 6202 bearings for $12.95 and the smaller bearing for $0.99.

Total cost was well under $20 instead of over $100 from the manufacturer.

Mike

btw - The web site is www.vbx.com

 

[Bill Boehme]

I recently needed to replace the bearings on the blade guides for my band saw. I needed 9 - 6202 bearings and 1 - 6200 bearing. The manufacturer's parts dept quoted $10 each.

I found a web site that sold a package of 10 - 6202 bearings for $12.95 and the smaller bearing for $0.99.

Total cost was well under $20 instead of over $100 from the manufacturer.

Mike

btw - The web site is www.vbx.com

Besides the basic part number, there are usually several other letters and numbers appended onto the basic number that further define the bearing performance characteristics. This can make a huge difference in cost. It is true that you can buy bearings that have no suffix numbers and letters for a lot less, but it is also true that when you do so, you are getting less.

There is also a difference in quality from different manufacturers. Top quality bearings demand top dollar obviously.

All that said, replacement parts from the manufacturer are usually way overpriced for many reasons such as the manufacturer is not a parts retailer so they do not operated as efficiently in that arena.